Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1887-01-21
A MEASURE OF REFLEX

The vote by which the interstate COM
merce bill passed the Senate on Friday last
was a surprise even TO the friends of the
measure, and 1t was serious disappoint.
ment to the railroad lobby. The substitute
which was reported from the conference
committee and passed the Senate, and which
will probably become law very soon, is
the most important legislation of this Con-
gress. 1t is the powerful hand of the re-
public stretched forth to protec. its citizens
from the rapacity of INSCRIPTIONS corpora
tons. 1t is an act that is lar-reachiag in it5
effects, embracing every common carrier in
the United States. The main provisions of
the act are as follows:
The act first defines the terms "railroad''
and 'commsn carrier" so as 10 make its pro.
visions comprehend all transportation lines
II prohibits unjust Determinations, aud re.
quires that all patrons Of railroads shall be
treated alike In the matter of rates for pas
senger or freight service II makes 1t un
lawful for any common carrier ITO receive
any greater compensation in the aggregate
Tor the transportation Of passengers or Of
like kind of property, under substantially
similar circumstances and conditions fol i
shorter than for longer distance over the
same line and Ia the same direction, the
shorter being included in the longer dis.
lance" This is the exact wording Of the
'long and short haul" clause which was So
earnestly opposed The bill absolutely pro.
hibits pooling, and requires that railroads
shall keep their schedules Of rates conspic-
uously posted that no advance shall be
made in the rates, fares, &c, SO publishes
except after ten days notice, which shall
state the proposed changes, but reduction
in rates may be made without previous no.
tice. II prohibits any combinations 90
changes 0fschedules by one road that.Equkd
Interfere with the through transportsFIor
over its line of freight and passengers from
any other road. Heavy penalties are pre-
scribed for violations of any of the provis
ions. The act creates q commission 10 be
known as the interstate Commerce Com
mission, to BIZ composed of five commission
ers who shall disappointed by the Presi
dent, by and with the advice and consent o.
the Senate No more than three Of them
shall belong To the same political party
The first commissioners shall be appointed
for terms of two, three, four, five and SIX
years respectively, but after that each com
missioner snail De appointed Tor a term Ol
six years. The commissioners shall receive
salary OF $1,000 per annum-aach and
every person in any way connected with
any common carrier to be ineligible. One
secretary at $500 per year and such add
tional employees as the commission may
deem necessary are authorized.
The commission is empowered to heal
all complaints against common carriers, tc
make Investigations and ia case o! necessity
10 apply to the United States Courts fol
power To enforce its authority Any ship
per or passenger having. u grievance may
elect TO prosecute 1t before United State.
District Court instead of before the commits
sion, but he cannot adopt both these rem
edies.
The principal offices of the commission
shall be at Washington, and the sum o
$4,000 is appropriated for its expenses til,
} first year.